In this all-encompassing work, one of the most famous science fiction as well as nonfiction writers of our time explores the subject of light and shows how it has shaped every aspect of our existence.
From the creation of life to the exploration of the heavens and the stars, from the origins of the earth to the possibility of life on distant planets, BenBova unveils the beauty and science behind the phenomenon of light. Dr. Bova masterfully explains how light affects us every day of our lives, from our religions to our sex drives, as well as how we use light in art, science, industry, entertainment, cosmetics, jewelry, and much more.
Why do people kiss with their eyes closed?
What exactly is quantum physics?
Why is it difficult to swat a mosquito?
How to lasers work?
What do we "see" when we dream?
Praise for The Story of Light:
"The enlightenment of discoveries and the brilliance of Ben Bova combine to enable our minds to glimpse the majesty of the infinite worlds of light in the universe."
—Buzz Aldrin
"Superbly written — a banquet of topics served by a master literary chef!"
—Bill Pogue, astronaut
_"The Story of Light is a lighthearted, enlightened romp through many facets of human experience, reflected and refracted through Bova's bright, polychromatic mind."
—David Grinspoon, Principle Scientist, Southwest Research Institute and author of Venus Revealed
About the Author
Ben Bova is the author of nearly 125 futuristic novels and nonfiction books about science and high technology. In his various writings, Dr. Bova has predicted the Space Race of the 1960s, solar power satellites, the discovery of organic chemicals in interstellar space, virtual reality, human cloning, the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars), the advent of international peacekeeping forces, the discovery of ice on the Moon, electronic book publishing and zero-gravity sex. Dr. Bova received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation in 2005, "for fueling mankind's imagination regarding the wonders of outer space." His 2006 novel TITAN received the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best novel of the year, and he received the 2008 Robert A. Heinlein Award "for his outstanding body of work in the field of literature." Dr. Bova has been involved in science and high technology since the very beginnings of the space age. President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past president of Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc., Dr. Bova was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has been a member of the Arizona Astronomy Board. He is a columnist for the Naples Daily News and a widely-popular lecturer. Earlier in his career, he was an award-winning editor and an executive in the aerospace industry. He has worked with film makers and television producers such as Woody Allen, George Lucas, and Gene Roddenberry. His "Grand Tour" novels, including his award-winning TITAN, show how the human race will expand through the solar system, opening a new era of wealth and opportunity -- and conflict. His nonfiction books, such as IMMORTALITY and FAINT ECHOES, DISTANT STARS have been honored by organizations such as the American Librarians' Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has won six Science Fiction Achievement Awards (Hugos) and many other awards for writing.
From the creation of life to the exploration of the heavens and the stars, from the origins of the earth to the possibility of life on distant planets, BenBova unveils the beauty and science behind the phenomenon of light. Dr. Bova masterfully explains how light affects us every day of our lives, from our religions to our sex drives, as well as how we use light in art, science, industry, entertainment, cosmetics, jewelry, and much more.
Why do people kiss with their eyes closed?
What exactly is quantum physics?
Why is it difficult to swat a mosquito?
How to lasers work?
What do we "see" when we dream?
Praise for The Story of Light:
"The enlightenment of discoveries and the brilliance of Ben Bova combine to enable our minds to glimpse the majesty of the infinite worlds of light in the universe."
—Buzz Aldrin
"Superbly written — a banquet of topics served by a master literary chef!"
—Bill Pogue, astronaut
_"The Story of Light is a lighthearted, enlightened romp through many facets of human experience, reflected and refracted through Bova's bright, polychromatic mind."
—David Grinspoon, Principle Scientist, Southwest Research Institute and author of Venus Revealed
About the Author
Ben Bova is the author of nearly 125 futuristic novels and nonfiction books about science and high technology. In his various writings, Dr. Bova has predicted the Space Race of the 1960s, solar power satellites, the discovery of organic chemicals in interstellar space, virtual reality, human cloning, the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars), the advent of international peacekeeping forces, the discovery of ice on the Moon, electronic book publishing and zero-gravity sex. Dr. Bova received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation in 2005, "for fueling mankind's imagination regarding the wonders of outer space." His 2006 novel TITAN received the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best novel of the year, and he received the 2008 Robert A. Heinlein Award "for his outstanding body of work in the field of literature." Dr. Bova has been involved in science and high technology since the very beginnings of the space age. President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past president of Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc., Dr. Bova was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has been a member of the Arizona Astronomy Board. He is a columnist for the Naples Daily News and a widely-popular lecturer. Earlier in his career, he was an award-winning editor and an executive in the aerospace industry. He has worked with film makers and television producers such as Woody Allen, George Lucas, and Gene Roddenberry. His "Grand Tour" novels, including his award-winning TITAN, show how the human race will expand through the solar system, opening a new era of wealth and opportunity -- and conflict. His nonfiction books, such as IMMORTALITY and FAINT ECHOES, DISTANT STARS have been honored by organizations such as the American Librarians' Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has won six Science Fiction Achievement Awards (Hugos) and many other awards for writing.
